Post by know ID yuh on Aug 15, 2011 19:13:44 GMT -8

Slint - Spiderland (cbats)

I like listening to albums I'm new to four times while at work, then give one subsequent listen it's isolated attention. The sun has been out way too much lately though. When cbats said this album needs to be listened to in a dark room, I gave two of its four listens that honor. My fourth was weeks ago, yet every time I think about Spiderland, the screaming guitar and lead singer shouting on the opening track, "Breadcrumb Trail," stands out as the one highlight.

Unfortunately, a lot of the album bores me. The lyrics are tough to follow, even while paying close attention. It sounds like there might be a poet story there, but it's so mixed up with random words, I get lost (like reading a Pitchfork review). It was mentioned a couple weeks ago by more than one of us boarders, but the Nada Surf song, "Popular" feels like it fits in right near the end of the album, because of the spoken word style. It would be almost like, "hey everyone, we're not really this depressed, we play football and date cheerleaders." I'm sure anyone who likes this album can make the bitter beer face upon reading that comment.

It's the Post-Rock sound I'm not getting. In my mind, Post-Rock has always been without lyrics, so I guess I've missed a big part of the genre. I get the mellow/mellow/crescendo/climax/mellow, but I'm not used to that being sanged to me (I don't like the word sung).

On my fifth listen, I came to a revelation. I woke up one morning recently with a catchy as hell guitar riff stuck in my head from a dream I was having. I felt like I should write it down, but figured it was probably an existing John Mayer song I heard while shopping at Banana Republic. No, I didn't have Slint playing that night, nor did I realize what song it was until now (it was the opening guitar on the song Washer). It makes sense though, because I always dream about things I don't realize are impacting me, those "whatevers" that stick to the subconscious part of the brain.

I should mention what I'm sure is mentioned in every review of this album, the final song, "Good Morning, Captain." It's not my favorite on the album (call me crazy), but the climax with the singer screaming, "I miss you," sums up the high/low nature of this album perfectly. And it really should, if that is the style they are aiming for.

I'm glad I gave this album five listens, because it didn't click with me on the first couple (or maybe it subconsciously did). Regardless of what your favorite track is, when I eventually go insane, it's the mellow guitar riff on "Washer" that will be playing in my head on repeat.

Post by Lump on Aug 16, 2011 14:11:37 GMT -8

Samesies with the riff on Washer. 'Das the part I always remember from that album now too.

Also, if you loved Spiderland like I did, don't get your hopes up with Tweez. It sounds like a bad prog rock band trying to play something in the vein of Spiderland. It's not horrible. But 30 seconds into the first track, my first reaction was, "REALLY?"

Post by J-Dawg on Aug 16, 2011 21:57:09 GMT -8

Yeah, I'm on vacation right now so falling behind a bit. I fully intend on catching up when I'm back in cowtown. I've got 2 listens of Teenager of the Year in, but I feel like I need a third before I can form a proper opinion in this case.

Post by Blacksmile on Aug 17, 2011 6:20:23 GMT -8

So I gave Teenager of the Year three spins and I finally have some minor thoughts, nothing as extravagant as Lump's review, but thoughts nonetheless.

I picked the album up a few years back as I wanted a physical copy of "Headache", which is one of my favorite songs songs from the 90's. I listened to it a few times back then and haven't touched it for a few years. It was nice to re-visit it again after all this time and I found myself enjoying more this time around. The thing I did find with it was that it a commitment album, mainly because of its length. At 22 songs spread over 60 odd minutes it is surely a long album, but I did not find it overly engaging. Perhaps that's why you, Lump, break it into sections (an interesting concept by the way). While I can appreciate the love that some of you have for this album, I have to say that unfortunately I was not feeling the love. It's a great collection of surf pop gems, but for me it was just another album. In the end, I like the album but prefer Frank Black when he's fronting either The Pixies or The Catholics.

Post by know ID yuh on Aug 22, 2011 18:32:23 GMT -8

Circulatory System - Circulatory System (drew)

The first thing I didn't like about this album was how much the vocals sound like the Beatles. The second thing I disliked about this album is the length. I'm not sure how many minutes it actually is, but 22 songs is 22 songs, regardless of if its 45 or 70 minutes. You still have to digest 22 different songs. The third thing I don't like about this album is how the vocals on all 22 songs sound exactly the same (exactly like the Beatles).

What I do like about this album, something Drew pointed out, is all the different sounds going on in the background. That was the only fun part of trying to give my fifth listen it's undivided attention. I couldn't though, I kept forgetting what I was doing and thinking about baseball. I can respect a 22 song output though. I think it's great the real fans of the group have more material to enjoy, but I'm not a real fan, which is why following my self-inflicted torture of listening to every album I am new to five times was a chore.

The shittiest bands of the last couple years rarely reach half of this album's song total. Their talent is too thin to even write three or four good songs. It's true, pick your top five least favorite bands of the last two years, and tell me if any of them have over 11 songs on their album? They only need one really good song to make money anyway, so why piss people off with filler. With that said, I don't hate Circulatory System, they are better than Tame Impala.

And that's about the nicest I can be, because I kept thinking I accidentally downloaded the same three songs seven times. If I could cut out all the vocals, I think this would be a rather fine collection of songs. I'll probably give it another listen next year to see if I've come around, but I'm not touching it again anytime soon. I dig the chorus on "Inside Blasts," and the final song is memorable (because it's over), but that is it for me. Ironic how it had to be Drew's selection that I've disliked the most.

Post by know ID yuh on Aug 22, 2011 18:36:33 GMT -8

This album is worth listening to on the strength of the cover art alone. I would buy that album without knowing anything about the band. They have been on my radar since a friend tried to talk me into going to their show locally about six months ago, so I'm liking this suggestion. I've been meaning to check them out.

Post by know ID yuh on Aug 22, 2011 19:53:32 GMT -8

Self - Breakfast With Girls (stormy)

I remember Gramma writing a review about Self, and I listened to several of his suggestions, but I never got around to that one. While writing this, I had to google the band to see if they were commercially successful, and which radio hits I might know. Even though they sound like they should have been big, it appears they were a bit unlucky. Is it fair to refer to this band as "they," or should I refer to them as "he?" I think the problem is the sounds created (mostly by one guy) in these poppy chunes are too complex to catch the ear of the bubble gum crowd. The lyrics and tempo remind me of a cross between Blink 182 and the Barenaked Ladies, with a bit of Third Eye Blind thrown in. A good example of why I think MTV overlooked them is the song, "What Are You Thinking?" I doubt anyone in the pop industry thought, "the kids are going to fucking love the 1930s style horn section mixed with the orchestral strings."

"Kill the Barflies" not only stands out as one of the biggest kick ass songs musically, but is pretty hilarious lyrically. "They're scheming on the way to get you into bed," is a perfect song to write about on Mase's birthday. "Sucker" has a catchy sound bite near the chorus which sounds like it's from an old television sitcom, but with synth and horns played around it. The end of "Sucker" samples (or remakes) the backwards vocals at the end of Prince's classic "Darling Nikki, while a vocal bit near the end of the title track sounds exactly like a Prince song. Stormy said he's a fan of Prince, so we know he has good taste in music. The influence is more than obvious.

I'm really surprised at how much of this album I retained with my first four listens being background music. I got it all, the soundbites, the keyboards, the lyrics, the noise, the pop culture references, the riffs, everything. There is even a ping pong soundbite which is always successful, even if your name is Flying Lotus. I could write a paragraph about almost every song here. I love this album.

Post by StormyPinkness on Aug 23, 2011 8:41:22 GMT -8

I remember Gramma writing a review about Self, and I listened to several of his suggestions, but I never got around to that one. While writing this, I had to google the band to see if they were commercially successful, and which radio hits I might know. Even though they sound like they should have been big, it appears they were a bit unlucky. Is it fair to refer to this band as "they," or should I refer to them as "he?" I think the problem is the sounds created (mostly by one guy) in these poppy chunes are too complex to catch the ear of the bubble gum crowd. The lyrics and tempo remind me of a cross between Blink 182 and the Barenaked Ladies, with a bit of Third Eye Blind thrown in. A good example of why I think MTV overlooked them is the song, "What Are You Thinking?" I doubt anyone in the pop industry thought, "the kids are going to fucking love the 1930s style horn section mixed with the orchestral strings."

"Kill the Barflies" not only stands out as one of the biggest kick ass songs musically, but is pretty hilarious lyrically. "They're scheming on the way to get you into bed," is a perfect song to write about on Mase's birthday. "Sucker" has a catchy sound bite near the chorus which sounds like it's from an old television sitcom, but with synth and horns played around it. The end of "Sucker" samples (or remakes) the backwards vocals at the end of Prince's classic "Darling Nikki, while a vocal bit near the end of the title track sounds exactly like a Prince song. Stormy said he's a fan of Prince, so we know he has good taste in music. The influence is more than obvious.

I'm really surprised at how much of this album I retained with my first four listens being background music. I got it all, the soundbites, the keyboards, the lyrics, the noise, the pop culture references, the riffs, everything. There is even a ping pong soundbite which is always successful, even if your name is Flying Lotus. I could write a paragraph about almost every song here. I love this album.

Yay! I am so glad you like it. I forgot that you love Prince so I should have figured.

I know what you mean about not being picked up as radio pop. It is very catchy, but there is a lot of noise and texture that seems to be too much for the larger population to be able to handle with their pop.

Post by Blacksmile on Aug 24, 2011 6:13:35 GMT -8

Man or Astro-man? - Destroy All Astromen!

This was a great album that went by at breakneck speed!!! Since recommended, I have listened to it 3 times and it got better with each listen.

Fast paced and fun it reminded me of Calgary local band Huevos Rancheros, if they were raised on comic books and Star Trek rather than The Lone Ranger and Stagecoach. I loved the use of the soundbytes throughout and it never got old. The album cover is a definite piece of art and sums up the overall feel of the album.

Great stuff and thanks for the introduction! I will be keeping my peepers open for a physical copy for sure.

Post by Friendly Destroyer on Aug 24, 2011 22:19:46 GMT -8

NASA - Spirit of Apollo

After listening to this I was curious to see what the general consensus was on all the esteemed, respected, worshipped, accredited, and sacred sites like The Pitchfork was. I guess they take things pretty serious over at the Pitchfork HQ's. Whoa, 1.6! Fair enough, when you have a guest list as eclectic and as big as this, the OBVIOUS expectation is that Tom Waits will find the time to sit down with The Spank Rocks and hammer out a well thought out dirge complete with literary references and emotional weight that only fully comes together in the added verse by Scarface containing lyrical word play on the title of the initial literary reference. GIVE ME THAT N.A.S.A! OR YOU ARE A 1.6!

Hahaha to Pitchfork. Thank you so much Know, what a great album to listen to. I was expecting a party and I felt like I was the host of the party waiting for all my guests to arrive. I wasn't disappointed that Tom Waits didn't bring me weird food served on a dirty hubcap instead of the vegetable tray he OBVIOUSLY bought on his way over to my house. I was just fucking ecstatic TOM WAITS showed up! It's Tom Waits everybody! And he's talking with Kool Keith! This party is already better that I thought it would be!

The internets are talking like having David Byrne sing your hooks while Charlie2na, Del Tha Funky Homosapian, KRS-One, and Kanye West come in and out is a big dumb stupid gimmick. It’s a great gimmick! I knew nothing about N.A.S.A, but damn if I’m not gonna listen to this! Also, who can’t appreciate a good gimmick? I’d rather go with the gimmick I know over the album inspired by an an album inspired by South African rhythms (even though you did win me over at Sasquatch ’10 with your energy, precision, and charisma Vampire Weekend), I’m still going with the gimmick who knows it's a gimmick. Basically, I enjoyed this album very much for what it was. Especially as a first listen when the guest's contribution was indicated on the title, but I had no idea what to expect. When you have good guests this is not a bad thing. When you have a million good guests on a party album this is a great thing!

Post by StormyPinkness on Aug 25, 2011 8:00:44 GMT -8

the OBVIOUS expectation is that Tom Waits will find the time to sit down with The Spank Rocks and hammer out a well thought out dirge complete with literary references and emotional weight that only fully comes together in the added verse by Scarface containing lyrical word play on the title of the initial literary reference. GIVE ME THAT N.A.S.A! OR YOU ARE A 1.6!

Post by Friendly Destroyer on Aug 25, 2011 8:06:50 GMT -8

the OBVIOUS expectation is that Tom Waits will find the time to sit down with The Spank Rocks and hammer out a well thought out dirge complete with literary references and emotional weight that only fully comes together in the added verse by Scarface containing lyrical word play on the title of the initial literary reference. GIVE ME THAT N.A.S.A! OR YOU ARE A 1.6!

Friendly please come live in our spare bedroom, ok?

But then I fear chatting on the board with you guys would just feel awkward? But we'll work that out, I'm sold!

Post by Horned Gramma on Aug 25, 2011 12:27:48 GMT -8

Teenager of the Year. So obviously I love it, but like I said, for the hundreds of times I've heard it it never presented itself to me as the cohesive whole that Lump described it as. Entirely the opposite, actually -- I always regarded Teenager of the Year as a kind of counterpart to They Might Be Giants' John Henry album. They were released within a year of each other, and at that time Frank Black and John Flansburgh were kind of loosely associating with each other, which resulted in Black actually opening for TMBG on their 'They Might Be Dead' tour in support of the John Henry album.

Both albums are products of the CD era -- artists could now fit 70 minutes of music onto a disc instead of the 40 or so minutes allowed by LPs, and a lot of albums from the early 90's were crammed to the bursting point. Before Lumpy described Teenager of the Year as this grand, twisting personal statement from Frank Black I had already locked it in my mind as an indulgent, unfiltered pastiche of hooky little songlets that didn't really add up to much. It is kind of still that to me, I guess, I haven't run it through the filter that Lumpy suggests enough times to be able to hear it very differently yet.

Also I realize that I've never even bothered to listen to The Cult of Ray and I intend to fix that right away.

'The Vanishing Spies', 'Headache', 'Abstract Plain', 'Calastan', 'Sir Rockaby', 'Speedy Marie', 'Freedom Rock'... Any and all of those are at least as good as anything Pixies ever did, and even without more than a dozen other fantastic songs you're already well on your way to a classic record.

Sadly Frank Black is one of those artists who seems resigned to having his best years behind him. I sure hope for the sake of Pixies' legacy that they never give in and try to record another Pixies record because from the last ten or more records he's put out it's pretty apparent that he lost or abandoned his muse sometime around 1998.